Improvement in hemp-brakes



S. P.. MOORE.

Hemp Brake.

Patented Feb. 2, 1858,

No. 19,255. v

v UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HENlP-BRAKES.

` Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 19,255, dated February 2, 1858.

.make and use my invention.

My said invention consists in serrating or corrugating the faces of the vibrating brakes iu a transverse direction to their breaking edges, between which the hemp is passed, so that the fibers may be thoroughly broken whatever direct-ion the hemp may' take in passing between the said surfaces, as hereinafter more i fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of the machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the lineYY. Fig. 4 is a plan, looking downward, of one of the jaws or crushing-surfaces, hereinafter described.

The motive power being applied to the wheel A, causes the crank B on the same axis to revolve, thereby communicating a reciprocating motion to the horizontal bar or rail O, and this, being attached to the frame D D in the manner shown, causes it to swing or oscillate on the horizontal axis E through asmall circular arc. The outer vertical faces, F F, of the sides of this frame are serrated or corrugated, and are two of the surfaces claimed as part of this invention. This frame D D worksin a larger frame, G G, which supports the axis E of the smaller frame. The larger frame supports also the curved pieces H H, attached to it outwardly at the points J J, upon which they are permitted to vibrate. The springs I I are attached by their upper ends to the inner edges of these pieces, as shown, and are prevented from expanding in consequence of their lower ends being coniined by the dowels K K, let into the sill ofthe machine andprothe inclined pieces M M of the larger frame,

and thereby preventing any further motion in that direction. These pieces H H support two other pieces or jaws, N N, at the points O O, around which point-s these jaws N N. have a small angular motion. I These jaws are hollowed on the outer vertical surfaces to receive the ends of the hemp, theinner surfaces being serrated, as before described, and coming nearly in contact with the outer serrated surfaces of the smaller movable frame, D D, the projections on either surface corresponding with and fitting into the indentations of the opposite contiguous surface. The hemp is broken by being passed in at the hollow or slot in the outer faces ofthe pieces N N, from which it is delivered and passed by the action of the machine between the serrated surfaces, before described, and in consequence of these surfaces being wholly serrated the fibers will be broken whatever direction they may take in passing through.

The pieces H I-I having a small angular motion round the points J J, and carrying the jaws N N, as before described, may, by pressing on the rail L, be moved in the direction of the springs, carrying with them the jaws N N, and thereby decreasing the distances between the serrated surfaces, thus enabling the operator to crush the fibers to any extent deemed necessary.

The approximation of the crushingsurfaces may be partially maintained by the pressure of the operators foot against the rail L, or it may be adjusted and rendered permanent by the pressure of a screw, which may be easily adapted to that purpose.

I do not claim any ofthe improvements embodied in the machine for which a patent was granted to S. A. Clemens in 1853.

The particular improvement'which constitutes my said invention, a-nd which I claim as having been originally and iirst invented by me, is

So corrugating the contiguous faces ofthe brakes in a transverse direction to the general line of the feed and general line of the longi tudinal surfaces of said brakes as to prevent the fibers or stalks from escaping the proper action of the machine by a change of direction, when combined with the brakes vibrating in relation to each other, substantially as described and shown.

Vitnesses: SOLOMON I). MOORE.

Jnssn MELLAHAN, J. Looirn HARDEMAN. 

